In my own defense I DO read a lot but I'm the type of person who needs it to be SHOWN to me instead of me reading it. Instead of me opening up another tab to go to google I didn't think it would be that big of deal since I was already on AW to ask. Not only that I have looked at a novel I have but some end with commas some end with periods and I wanted further explanation.
Bufty : No my novel isn't completed, yes I need betas to read. But isn't that the whole point in having a beta? To help you move along and show you how to write better?
I rather be the idiot asking a stupid question and getting an answer then be the idiot standing in the corner not knowing the answer.
Well, when you open a published novel, you
are being shown. You get to see the right format for yourself.
Yes, some end with a comma, some with a period, but none are formatted the way you did it in your first post.
I'm not saying you shouldn't ask. You should. But you still need to check published novels first, and you should always check a style or grammar book. If you don't understand why the published novel uses a comma or a period, and if you then look it up in a style or grammar book and still don't understand, asking
might get you the right answer and the understanding.
Or it might just confuse you.
As for betas, well, they can be good things, but if you rely on a beta to help you write better, you'll never write very well.
and further visits to the SYW Forum will give you comments and tips upon what you have already written but do say you are a beginner and wish to be treated gently if that is so.
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